Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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A remarkable Hollywood discovery, this group of three original 35mm nitrate reels includes two rare 1929 screen tests featuring a 22-year-old John Wayne alongside Ward Bond. Believed to have been filmed for "Rough Romance" (Fox, 1930), the footage predates "The Big Trail" and represents the earliest known surviving moving images of Wayne at the outset of his career.

Already projecting the screen presence that would define a legend, Wayne appears here years before becoming one of cinema’s most enduring stars. Preserved with exceptional clarity, these reels offer a rare glimpse into the making of an American icon.

"Hollywood Legends: Classic Hollywood" brings together exceptional treasures from cinema's most celebrated stars, films, and filmmakers.

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juliensauctions.com/en/items/2251759/john-wayne-original-1929-screen-test-audition-newly-discovered-35mm-film-reels

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